JOIN USSaifaa Shabir, a young entrepreneur from Kashmir, believes that determination to pursue one’s goal is the most important thing, writes Baseera Rafiqi.
“While some of you ladies are searching for a rich husband I am focusing on being a RICH WIFE,” reads the 20-something Saifaa Shabir’s Whatsapp status. While the majority of girls her age are more keen on dating, following the latest trends in fashion or going out to the movies, Saifaa is completely focused on realising her dream – of becoming one of the most successful entrepreneurs in Kashmir. Ask her how she plans to achieve something that sounds impossibly tough today and she quotes her idol, innovator and late Apple CEO Steve Jobs, “There is no reason not to follow your heart.” “Till now, that’s what I have done. I have followed my dream and here I am one of the youngest female web and graphic designers in the Valley with her own start-up,” says Saifaa proudly.
As one enters her ‘designer’ office in Botakadal, the heart of the Old City, there are pamphlets, hoardings and paintings everywhere. Saifaa shares her journey from being a shy schoolgirl to an innovative and forward-thinking business owner. “Even though I always wanted to set up my own venture, I come from a family where women either become homemakers or teachers,” she says. Naturally, after she was through with her secondary education, Saifaa was asked continue with hardcore academics and prepare for pre-medical entrances, as is the general trend. But she had something else in mind. “I finished my schooling from Mallinson Girls School and then tried for the Common Entrance Test (CET) exams. But ever since I was in class eight, I wanted to start my very own business. I ended up wasting a year but finally joined BSc (Information Technology),” she goes on.
Choosing a different path
Even as she honed her programming and computer skills in college, she decided to combine it with her special talent, the arts, to zero in on her preferred profession. “I had always been good in art, especially sketching and painting. So, once when a friend remarked that if I can draw on paper I can certainly draw graphically too, something clicked instantly. I took up graphic designing and eventually opened my own unit,” she elaborates.
Being an only child, Saifaa’s parents, especially her mother supported her wholeheartedly. “Living in a largely traditional society, there were those who criticised me when I started my own business. But the freedom of choice and the confidence my family had in me has enabled me to follow my ambitions,” she says.
Enrolling in the Jammu and Kashmir Entrepreneurship Development Institute (JKEDI) not only helped her develop the necessary business skills and other management tactics but she also managed to receive some initial government funding for her enterprise. “At my company Sysarch-E, we provide a variety of design services including logo designing, corporate identity designing, brochuredesigning, magazine layouts, menus, wedding cards, 3D-animation, video editing, posters, content writing and interface designing. In time, I hope to expand into a group of companies under Sysarch-E,” she explains.
For now, although her business is in the early stages – it’s been three years since she got things going – Saifaa has got a few significant projects in hand. She says, “I am working with two Delhi-based companies on per project basis. Besides, we have built a good client base across India and in countries like United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and the Netherlands. In fact, we have grown from engaging one client a month to 10 new ones each month. Right now I have a small in-house team of five, comprising two graphic designers, two content writers and one website designer. Yet, because there is a lot of work in hand, I often have to outsource projects.”
Of course, it’s never easy to build a business from scratch and for a young girl, the challenges only multiply. “The youth in Kashmir is brought up with fixed ideas – they can either become a doctor or an engineer or teacher. So, going against the grain and trying to use one’s skills and converting them into opportunities is not seen too kindly,” she avers.
But times are changing in Kashmir and girls are learning to break free from the traditional mould to take up their preferred career and voice their opinions. Nonetheless, Saifaa admits that being a businesswoman may impact her marriage prospects. “Social attitudes are transforming but there is a long way to go. I am determined to carry on with my business. However, that does not mean that I do not take time out for my friends and relatives. Business is important but then so is the home and family,” she says.
At this point in time though, her work is her priority. “To me, customer satisfaction is the ultimate reward. When I make a phone call to tell a client that your work is done, that’s real achievement. Everything else follows from there,” she signs off.